4th Congressional District Debate Turns Ugly

What began as a debate of 4th Congressional District issues soon turned into an ugly war of words between three Republicans running for the party nomination in the Sept. 14 primary.

Nassau County Legislator Francis Becker (R-Lynbrook), currently the Nassau Republican nominee, and challengers Dan Maloney and Frank Scaturro, challenged one another on each other's comments, backgrounds and past actions during a League of Women Voters forum at the Hewlett-Woodmere Library on Aug. 31.

Scaturro apparently struck a nerve with Becker when he accused the veteran Nassau lawmaker of poor decision-making on the county Legislature, saying that Becker supported past tax and fee increases. Becker defended his record, stating he was in the legislative minority during the eight years that former County Executive Tom Suozzi was in office.

"You've got it all wrong," Becker said directly to Scaturro during the debate. "I don't know who you're talking about, but it's not me. "

For a few minutes, Scaturro and Maloney appeared to gang up on Becker, accusing him of being out of touch with the average 4th Congressional District resident.

"[Becker's] politically motivated," Maloney said. "That's his main and only driving interest."

Scaturro questioned Becker's Five Point Plan, in which Becker described how he would help foster job growth and economic development. "I don't think I've heard from Mr. Becker an actual plan," he said. "Too many of our local leaders have not looked out for 4th [Congressional] District residents, and [Becker] has not earned a trip to Congress."

Many in attendance for the forum were extremely vocal, and could be heard applauding, booing, shouting or gasping at the comments made throughout the evening. On several occasions, the League of Women Voters' mediator had to intervene to silence the crowd so the debate could continue.

Becker insisted that as a businessman, longtime lawmaker and family man, he was the best candidate for Congress. He defended his public service record, and questioned what his challengers' qualifications were to to serve as a Congressman.

"I'm the only conservative Republican on this panel that's not only talked the talked, but walked the walk," Becker said. "I am battle-tested, and ready to go to Washington to fight for you."

The Republican primary will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 14. The winner will face incumbent Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy, a Democrat, in November.